The Somerset herald. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 1870-1936, 1887-06-22
A BACHELORS REWARD.


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deep rcverie.
II was seldom that he was idle, as he
was at the present time. but this evening
the memories cf the past came Hooking
upon him like ghosts from another land.
John Steele was a bachelor Of forty.
He had been born and reared a poor boy
in the little town of NJ. and had
never felt desire to leave il. He had
studied law and plodded along year after
year in the dingy, grimy Office, in which
we find him now, and had grown rich.
He had no personal friends, and lived
alone in large. old frame house at the
outskirts of the town, with Il man-of-all-
work.
Years and wears before, when young
man of twenty, poor and aimless, Steele
had loved a girl whose parents would not
LET him marry her because he was so
worthless. In his rage he blamed her for
this and would listen to no reason, and
from that day had hated women and had
led a solitary life. II was this scene that
now held John Steele in his office chair,
as the mantle of night gathered over the
town.
More than twenty years ago. he
mused. ~and don't believe ! have ever
spoken to a woman, except on business,
since that day They say she married a
no-account wretch after all, who has sunk
down TO poverty and want. Well, well,
must not waste time thinking about
such things now. was only boy then,
and did not know what wanted.
must be going" Whereupon he arose,
buttoned his coat about him, locked his
Office and trudged on his homeward jour
new
Rumor has il about town that, although
by her parents influence, Katie Drew
had married shortly after her refusal of
Steele. that she had loved him dearly.
This was most likely true, but as twenty
years had passed, the matter had faded
from the general mind to give way 10
more lively gossip.
Steele ate his supper in silence. VIII
liam, his man-of-all-work had a very
good meal prepared; for, though Steele
was close-fsted he believed in good eat
ing, good clothes and a comfortable liv-
ing.
Now, William" said Steele, when he
had finished, if you fix me up enough
food TO do me tomorrow, you may have
holiday. And here is your money and
five dollars to have time with. No hol-
iday for me; don't need any and don't
want any"
THANK you, Mr. Steele, for your good
ness" said William. But, Mr. Steele,
don't You never take any little extra
pleasure at all? You know used 10
know you when you was little fellow ;
and can remember seeing your good
mother holding you up at the old church
so YOU could see the Christmas tree.
And you was a wee little tad then, and
you clapped your little hands in glee and
yonr mother would kiss your baby face
and talk baby talk to YOU It don't seem
ike that was near forty years ago, Mr..
Steele, but it was"
~Confound the fellow" grumbled
Steele, rs he sat down in his room that
night to read If | should listen to
him he would upset me- l don't know
what is the matter with me this evening
anyhow. l never felt so queer in my
life. guess am using too much to-
baccO of latep
He read until bedtime, and was in the
act of taking off his boots when he heard
a knock at the front door.
Wonder who that is he thought
Something unusual at this place"
he listened a moment and there came
another knock.
What the deuce can that William be
doing that he don't go to the door? said
Steele. a. want TO go to bed, and il may
be some one that wants me. To borrow
money, ] guess. Well, unless they have
good security, not cent do they get"
At this juncture, William opened the
door. Steele heard an indistinc. conver.
sation and then William conducted the
visitor to the kitchen. After some mo
ments William came walking into tn,
room.
Well, what is it?"
Excuse me, Mr.. Steele. but there is :
poor woman in the kitchen who need,
some help badly. I'm sure she does, fol
she don't look as common beggar sh,
SAYS she has walked through the cold al
the way from the last town, and is mos
dead
Yes, that is what they all say. Civ,
her something to eat and send her on.
Bat wish you would come and Sc,
her"
Bother these bcggars.7 mumbled Mr.
Steele. But guess I'll 90 down to ge
rid Of her"
Steele saw black figure sitting by tn,
fire.
Well" he said to her, when he enter
ed. ~what can do for your"
She turned toward him. Her face wa
not that of beggir Although trii,
pale, ii was the face of pretty woman o
thirty-five.
only wished to get warm" she said
q was 80 cold that felt as if | should
freeze, ! am sorry To disturb you.
have friends in the town, and am sure
can get employment Of some kind there
used to live there yeas and years ago.
BY means of few questions he learnet
that she WAS widow without any reia
tions in the world. he was deeply touch
ed by her story
What was your husbands name
asked Steele.
Garter" she said 4. George Carter"
Wait here moment,p he said, ant
went up to bis room.
He Went to his desk and took ont som,
money. Il so seldom give said he
and can afford to be liberal to this poo
woman" lie took two ien-dollar bill
and started back to the kitchen.
" She said her name was Carter. Car
ter-Carfer? Where have | heard-what
Carter. Ny God That was the nam1
Of her husband. She said she used {.
live here years ago. II must be she. /